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Jane Saunders
  • Do you want to be part of a growing global community who have identified and implemented a Sustainable Development Goal into their organization or business? 

  • Are you curious about which one of the seventeen SDGs is right for your organization?

  • Do you want to make a difference and create a purpose-led environment where we all prosper and where no one is left behind? 

Then you can with this practical course that will equip you with everything you need to identify and implement one or more SDGs. 

Read more
  • Do you want to be part of a growing global community who have identified and implemented a Sustainable Development Goal into their organization or business? 

  • Are you curious about which one of the seventeen SDGs is right for your organization?

  • Do you want to make a difference and create a purpose-led environment where we all prosper and where no one is left behind? 

Then you can with this practical course that will equip you with everything you need to identify and implement one or more SDGs. 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

At their heart, they recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

This course will give you all the information needed so that you can:

  • understand the importance of the SDGs in business

  • deliver a compelling business case for SDG implementation to stakeholders

  • ensure you can identify the right SDG for your organization

  • implement SDGs into your strategy

  • authentically communicate your success in delivering SDGs

This practical step-by-step six-module course is packed with real-life examples, case studies, first-hand experience,  links to access free content and resources, and quizzes. By the time you have finished the course, you will be ready and confident to implement one or more of them into your organization or business.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will understand the business case for implementing the united nations sustainable development goals (sdgs)
  • You will be able to identify which sdg/s match the values of your organisation
  • You will be able to measure and evaluate the impact of sdgs to avoid greenwashing
  • You will learn how to achieve employee and stakeholder engagement on your sdg journey
  • You will be able to communicate and publicise your sdg involvement to all stakeholders

Syllabus

Introduction
Be part of the global SDG movement
Introduction and Welcome to the course
You will understand the history of the SDGs and why they were designed and implemented by the United Nations as a blueprint for people and the planet
Read more

Here is an example of interactive content which is based on the fashion industry. The interactive room allows a business or organisation to showcase their sustainability progress and can be adapted to suit any industry.  This gives you an idea of how engaging successful sustainability alignment can be to your stakeholders.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the differences between ESG, CSR, and SDGs, which helps learners understand the nuances of sustainable business practices
Teaches how to measure and evaluate the impact of SDGs, which is crucial for avoiding greenwashing and ensuring authentic sustainability efforts
Covers how aligning to SDGs can engage stakeholders, support sustainable decision-making, shape business strategy, increase employee retention, and guide innovation
Includes links to access free content and resources, which can help learners explore the topic of sustainability without additional costs
Features real-life examples and case studies, which can help learners understand how other organizations are successfully implementing SDGs
Refers to the UN's SDG Action Manager, which is a tool to help organizations identify the right SDG for their organization

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Reviews summary

Implementing sdgs for business

According to learners, this course provides a practical, step-by-step guide to understanding and implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within an organization. Students praise the clarity and structure of the content, finding the real-life examples and case studies particularly helpful. Many feel the course is a solid introduction that equips them with the tools and knowledge needed to integrate SDGs into business strategy and communicate success authentically. The focus on identifying the right SDGs and making a compelling business case is highlighted as a key strength. Some note it's best suited as a foundational course, implying those with extensive prior knowledge might find it introductory.
Provides a strong starting point.
"This course is an excellent introduction to the world of SDGs for business."
"It provides a solid foundation for anyone looking to start their SDG journey."
"A great course for understanding the basics and the business case."
"It serves as a very good starting point before diving deeper."
Highlights why SDGs matter for business.
"The emphasis on the business case for SDGs was convincing and helpful for stakeholders."
"Understanding why SDGs are good for business was a key takeaway for me."
"It equipped me to deliver a compelling case for SDG implementation."
Uses real-world examples effectively.
"The real-life examples and case studies made the concepts much clearer."
"Seeing how other companies are implementing SDGs was inspiring and practical."
"I found the interactive content example for the fashion industry very insightful."
"The examples helped bridge the gap between theory and practice."
Content is well-organized and easy to follow.
"The modules are clearly structured and easy to understand, even for beginners."
"I liked the step-by-step approach outlined in the syllabus."
"The course content is concise and delivers the information effectively."
"It presents complex topics in a simple and digestible manner."
Course offers actionable steps for business.
"I found the practical steps for implementing SDGs into my organization to be very valuable."
"The course is action-oriented, providing tools to integrate SDGs into strategy."
"It gave me the confidence and knowledge to identify and implement SDGs in my work."
"I appreciated the focus on how to actually *do* it within a business context."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to identify and deliver Sustainable Development Goals with these activities:
Review the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
Familiarize yourself with the 17 SDGs to better understand the course content and identify relevant goals for your organization.
Show steps
  • Read the official descriptions of each of the 17 SDGs on the UN website.
  • Identify 2-3 SDGs that resonate with your personal values or your organization's mission.
  • Reflect on how these SDGs relate to current global challenges and opportunities.
Review 'The Sustainable Development Goals Report'
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current progress and challenges related to the SDGs.
Show steps
  • Download the latest edition of the report from the UN website.
  • Focus on the sections related to the SDGs that are most relevant to your interests or organization.
  • Take notes on key findings, trends, and recommendations.
Identify an SDG for your organization
Apply the course concepts by selecting an SDG that aligns with your organization's values and mission.
Show steps
  • Assess your organization's current activities and identify areas where you can contribute to the SDGs.
  • Research the targets and indicators associated with your chosen SDG.
  • Develop a preliminary plan for implementing initiatives that support the SDG.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take'
Explore how companies can create positive impact by aligning their business goals with the SDGs.
View Net Positive on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Reflect on how your organization can adopt a 'net positive' approach.
  • Identify specific actions you can take to contribute more to society and the environment.
Develop a presentation on SDG implementation
Solidify your understanding of SDG implementation by creating a presentation that you can share with colleagues or stakeholders.
Show steps
  • Outline the key steps involved in implementing SDGs within an organization.
  • Include real-world examples of successful SDG implementation.
  • Design visually appealing slides with clear and concise information.
  • Practice your presentation to ensure a smooth and engaging delivery.
Volunteer for an organization working on an SDG
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to an SDG by volunteering for a relevant organization.
Show steps
  • Research local organizations that are working on SDGs that align with your interests.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in volunteer activities and reflect on your experience.
Create an SDG impact dashboard
Demonstrate your ability to measure and evaluate the impact of SDGs by creating a data visualization dashboard.
Show steps
  • Identify key metrics for measuring the impact of your chosen SDG.
  • Gather relevant data from your organization or external sources.
  • Design a dashboard that effectively visualizes the data and highlights key trends.
  • Ensure the dashboard is user-friendly and easy to interpret.

Career center

Learners who complete How to identify and deliver Sustainable Development Goals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing a company's sustainability strategy. This course is directly relevant because it focuses on understanding, identifying, and implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within an organization. A Sustainability Manager will use the tools and knowledge provided in this course to guide their company's sustainability initiatives, ensuring that they align with global goals and are effectively communicated to all stakeholders.
Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist
A Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist develops and manages a company's initiatives related to ethics, community engagement, and environmental impact. This course helps a Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist understand how the SDGs can be integrated into their company strategy, moving beyond traditional CSR to a more purpose-led and impactful approach. The course’s emphasis on measuring impact, engaging stakeholders, and communicating progress aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of a Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist.
ESG Analyst
An ESG Analyst evaluates a company's environmental, social, and governance practices, and this course provides the background to do so using the UN's SDGs as a framework. An ESG Analyst will use the knowledge gained here to assess how well a company is aligning its business practices with sustainable development principles. The course helps an ESG Analyst understand the business case for sustainability, how to measure impact, and how to communicate results transparently, providing key data that stakeholders would be interested in.
Sustainability Consultant
A Sustainability Consultant advises organizations on integrating sustainable practices into their businesses. This course provides a strong foundation in the Sustainable Development Goals, which are central to most sustainability strategies. A Sustainability Consultant will benefit from the course's content on identifying relevant SDGs, developing implementation plans, measuring impact, and engaging stakeholders. This course will give a Sustainability Consultant skills for communicating success to clients, which is key in this role.
Business Development Manager
A Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying new business opportunities and building strategic partnerships, and this course helps them align those with sustainability. A Business Development Manager can leverage the understanding of the SDGs and their impact on business to create new offerings and partnerships that are both profitable and purpose-driven. This course teaches how to identify the right SDGs for an organization and the business case for implementing them, which is essential for any business development strategy.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of a company, and this course helps implement sustainable practices into the role. By learning how to integrate SDGs into strategy, measure impact, and engage employees, an Operations Manager can streamline processes to be more environmentally and socially conscious. The practical focus of the course and its emphasis on real-world examples will be directly relevant to improving the sustainability of daily operations.
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans and executes projects within an organization. This course may be useful for a Project Manager who wants to incorporate sustainable practices into project management and planning. Project managers who have taken this course can help teams understand how to align projects with the SDGs, measure their impact, and communicate their benefits to stakeholders. This course can equip a project manager with a framework for integrating sustainability into projects from start to finish.
Strategic Planner
A Strategic Planner is involved in shaping an organization's long-term goals. This course may be useful for a Strategic Planner seeking to incorporate global sustainability goals into their strategic plans. A Strategic Planner can use this course to understand the importance of the SDGs in business, identify the most relevant goals for their organization, and integrate them into their strategic priorities, ensuring their company is contributing to a more sustainable future.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager is responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies. This course may be useful for a Marketing Manager who needs to communicate their company's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. A Marketing Manager can use the information learned in this course to authentically market their company's sustainability initiatives. They can communicate the organization's progress and engagement with key stakeholders through a focus on metrics and results.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages an organization's public image and communications. A Public Relations Specialist can use the information and resources in this course to accurately communicate a company's SDG initiatives. This course will be helpful to a Public Relations Specialist by providing insight into sustainability. It can help a Public Relations Specialist develop messaging that is authentic and avoids greenwashing, which is essential for protecting a company's reputation.
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst researches and develops policy recommendations. This course may be helpful to a Policy Analyst, especially one who focuses on environmental or social policy. A Policy Analyst can use the course to ground their work in the UN's framework for global sustainable development. The course provides a strong understanding of the global goals that any policy analyst could use to evaluate existing policies.
Community Engagement Coordinator
A Community Engagement Coordinator develops and implements strategies to engage stakeholders. This course may be useful for a Community Engagement Coordinator. The course provides a framework for understanding how the Sustainable Development Goals can be a tool for community engagement. A Community Engagement Coordinator can use the course to develop sustainability initiatives and engage communities in a way that encourages a sense of shared purpose and responsibility.
Human Resources Generalist
A Human Resources Generalist is responsible for various aspects of human resources management within an organization. This course may be useful to a Human Resources Generalist because it teaches how to engage employees in sustainability initiatives. A Human Resources Generalist will learn that employee engagement in sustainability can boost morale and attract talent, contributing to a more purpose-driven and successful workplace. The course also discusses how to integrate these goals into the broader company strategy.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst interprets and analyzes complex data sets. This course may be helpful to a Data Analyst because of its discussion of measuring and evaluating the impact of SDGs, which creates data sets that must be analyzed. A Data Analyst can use the course to gain insight into the types of data that are meaningful for measuring sustainability, and the meaning of those data sets. In this way, a Data Analyst can help an organization understand its sustainability performance and make improvements.
Supply Chain Analyst
A Supply Chain Analyst examines and optimizes the flow of goods and services within a company’s supply chain. This course may be helpful because sustainability practices are increasingly important to global supply chain management. A Supply Chain Analyst can use the course to identify areas where their supply chain can be more sustainable by selecting relevant SDGs for their organization and implementing them into sourcing and logistics, allowing the company to more effectively manage resources.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to identify and deliver Sustainable Development Goals.
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of progress towards the SDGs. It valuable resource for understanding the current state of affairs, identifying challenges, and exploring potential solutions. offers a data-driven perspective on the SDGs, making it a useful reference for anyone seeking to implement them effectively. It adds breadth to the course by providing a global context for SDG implementation.
Explores how companies can go beyond sustainability and become 'net positive' by contributing more to society and the environment than they take. It provides a framework for aligning business goals with the SDGs and creating long-term value. This book is valuable as additional reading, offering a more in-depth look at how companies can integrate sustainability into their core business strategies. It adds depth to the course by providing real-world examples and practical guidance.

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